BusinessFlyer JC1685: Haneda – Okayama on JAL Express.

Having arrived on a morning flight into Tokyo International Airport (HND/RJTT), or more commonly called Haneda Airport, I spent some time in the credit-card-sponsored lounge in the South Wing of Terminal 1, where most flights to destinations south of Tokyo depart from. The simple credit card lounge is housed with sofas, massage chairs, working desks, and offers some basic amenities as well as a beverage bar. Light snacks can be purchased.

Our aircraft: Boeing 737-846(WL) JA327J still in the Arc of the Sun livery. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

These domestic lounges, eligible for use by selected gold credit card holders, are different from JAL's luxurious and peaceful Sakura Lounge, which is offered for First Class customers, Japan Mileage Bank (JMB) Diamond and Saffire flyers, and JAL Global Club (JGC) members. I was booked for Class J, JAL's domestic business class product, but that doesn't qualify.

Boarding at Gate 8 of the South Wing of Haneda's Terminal 1. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

Boarding for my flight JC1685 (branded as JL1685) to Okayama (OKJ/RJOB) commenced right at the time I arrived at Gate 8 (Spot 8) at 1215, starting with handicapped persons, pregnant mothers, and children under two, followed by JMB Diamond flyers, JGC premier members, and Oneworld Emerald holders. Class J passengers are not eligible for priority boarding.

My Class J seat for the flight. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

JAL normally organizes boarding for the rest of the passengers by calling those with seats in the aft rows to get on first, however, because the flight was only half full, the gate staff decided to let everyone board at the same time. While I was getting myself seated in the fourth row, flight attendants started handing out blankets while children received toys and stickers.

Climbing over Miura Peninsula. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

At 1237 JST, the door was closed, but we had to wait for some transfer bags to be loaded. Soon after at 1242, we were pushed back, just two minutes behind scheduled departure time. The two CFM International CFM56-7B engines were started, and we were taxiing in five minutes. Here in Japan, ground handling personnel will always wave good-bye at you after push-back is finished and the airplane starts moving on its own power, so remember to look outside the window! If they notice you waved back, they might give you a bow in return.

The Class J cabin is in a five-abreast (3-2) layout. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

We taxied to the threshold of Runway 16R and took off at 1252, banking to the right heading southwest as we were climbing over Tokyo Bay and Miura Peninsula. Our aircraft for today was Boeing 737-846(WL) JA327J, which was delivered to JAL Express (JC/JEX) (JAL Express is merged into JAL.) on March 10th, 2010. All domestic-configured 737-800s seat 20 in Class J and 145 in economy. At 1258 the seat belt signs were turned off just as we passed Miura Peninsula. The crew shortly gave an announcement to advertise recommended products from the JAL Shop catalog in the seat pocket.

Inside the seat pocket: JAL's Skyward magazine, JAL Shop catalog, and safety leaflet. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

Approximately 10 minutes later, the cabin crew commenced in-flight service, which consisted of just a complementary beverage selection. Having an identical product as its parent, JEX offers hot coffee (branded as JAL Cafe Lines), apple juice, consommé soup, seasonal fruit juice (branded as JAL Sky Time), which was 'shiikwaasaa' (Citrus depressa), hot and cold green tea, water, and coke. Nothing special but adequate, as most Japanese domestic flights from Tokyo don't take more than a hour and half, except for flights to Okinawa.

Flying somewhere over Aichi. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

At 1310 as the flight attendants were serving passengers, Captain Nakamura made his announcement telling us that we were cruising at 8,500 meters (28,000 feet) at 670 kph (400 mph), and that our flight would last just one hour. Weather at Okayama would be fair with temperatures at 22 degrees Celsius. After beverage service was finished, the cabin crew went through the aircraft offering JAL's in-flight shopping products.

Flying over Fukusaki, near Himeji, on descent. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

As we passed Izu Peninsula, clouds started gathering below, soon blocking our view of the landscape below us completely. We had a smooth cruise, and as we flew over Kyoto, gradual descent started and the cockpit crew informed us that the seat belt lights would be turned on in 15 minutes. At 1340, we passed by Himeji and Ako, and continued our descent over the mountains of the Chugoku Region.

On final approach to Okayama. The prefecture's countryside. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

We touched down on Runway 25 at 1353, and arrived at Spot 2 at 1355, right on schedule. The door was opened in minutes and our luggage was out by the time we reached the baggage claim. Traveling to the city of Okayama, situated southwest of the airport, is straightforward using a bus that leaves from right in front of the arrivals hall. We caught the 1415 bus, which took half an hour at a cost of 760 JPY.

Okayama Airport is well connected to major stations with buses that are timed with arrivals and departures of the flights. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

Although touted as business class, Class J is more akin to a premium-economy product. For a fare difference that starts from only 1,000 JPY, you get a wider seat with a little more legroom, but that is about it and all other services are the same as in economy. However, again, considering the flight durations of the domestic flights, that might be enough. Those who want something to eat would grab one of the ubiquitous Bento boxes at the airport and have it on the airplane.

Travel Date: May 2014
Flight: JC1685 (marketed as JL1685)
Route: Tokyo/Haneda (HND/RJTT) – Okayama (OKJ/RJOB)
Carrier: JAL Express (JC/JEX) operating for Japan Airlines (JL/JAL)
Aircraft: Boeing 737-846(WL) JA327J
Class: Class J (Domestic Business)
Direct distance: 547 kilometers (340 miles)
Flight time: 1 hour 5 minutes

JAL Express is merged into JAL.

On October 1st, JAL Express (JC/JEX) merged into parent Japan Airlines (JL/JAL), ending the 17-year history of a carrier which under the slogan 'Safe, casual, and fresh,' set the basis for the current more efficient JAL. JEX eventually operated 41 Boeing 737-800s on domestic routes on behalf of its parent. All aircraft now operate directly under JAL, and repainting of aircraft from 'JAL Express' to 'Japan Airlines' will be completed by 2016.

Boeing 737-846(WL) JA341J in JEX's final crane livery arrives at Misawa on an October afternoon. The titles will gradually be replaced by 'Japan Airlines' titles by 2016. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

JEX was originally set up on April 1st, 1997 as a lower-cost subsidiary to take over some of its parent's regional domestic routes. It inaugurated service on July 1st, 1998 from Osaka/Itami (ITM/RJOO) to Kagoshima (KOJ/RJFK) and Miyazaki (KMI/RJFM) using Boeing 737-400s transferred from JAL. Some McDonnell Douglas MD-81s JAL inherited from the merger with Japan Air System (JD/JAS) had a brief spell with JEX between 2005 and 2010, however, with the transferring of its remaining 737-400s to sister Japan Transocean Air (NU/JTA) in 2011, the fleet was standardized on 737-800s.

Boeing 737-446 JA8993 in the 'Arc of the Sun' livery, which was their second color scheme. It was transferred to Japan Transocean Air in August 2011. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

Although JEX was originally based at Itami and J-Air (XM/JLJ) at Nagoya/Komaki (NKM/RJNA), JAL's bankruptcy in 2010 and subsequent restructuring led to significant downsizing for mainline, and thus JEX moved its operations to Haneda while Komaki was closed and J-Air moved into Itami. It eventually formed the backbone of JAL's regional domestic network from Haneda, serving more domestic destinations than any other carrier in the JAL Group. JEX's official last flight took place on September 30th.

JEX was a pioneer in many ways, setting the basis for the now lower-cost JAL. The carrier's flight attendants were originally called 'SkyCasts', where they were also responsible for cabin cleaning (mainline JAL hired outside firms just to clean the aircraft at that time) and accomplished 25-minute turnaround times, increasing fleet utilization. It had a family-style, interdisciplinary culture where all professionals worked together to make the passenger experience better and achieve a 20% reduction in overall costs compared to its parent. JEX also became the first Japanese carrier to have a female captain in July 2010.

Boeing 737-446 JA8992 in JEX's original livery. This aircraft now flies with Japan Transocean Air in Sakura Jimbei (Encounter Japan Transocean Air's 'Sakura Jimbei'!) special livery. (Photo: JEX)

Now that JAL has shed a lot of costs, especially during its bankruptcy, JAL employees essentially carry out the same tasks and amount of work that JEX crew do, so presumably, it became unnecessary to keep JEX. Furthermore, the majority of JEX's flight attendants are hired on few-year contracts, so merging that employee base into JAL prevents them from joining other carriers, like the growing LCCs, some of which are facing crew shortages. "The merger stabilizes JAL Group's domestic operations for the long term," said a JAL spokesperson, and this probably means by that. This is similar to what ANA did when they upgraded all contracted employees to full-time staff last year to prevent a 'brain drain'.

From March 27th, 2011, along with J-Air, JEX started operating all flights under the JL code seen from the passengers' eyes, though paper-wise it was a code-share operated by XM and JC, respectively. SkyCasts previously wore a red coat-style uniform, different from mainline JAL, but these too were standardized throughout JAL, JEX, and J-Air in June 2013, with the only noticeable difference being the color of the scarves. So the merger will not be so visible to the normal traveler, but whenever you see a young and cheerful flight attendant on a JAL flight, ask if she worked with JEX. She may give back a big smile. Adieu, JEX.

JAL starts Summer 2014 seasonal routes.

On August 1st, Japan Airlines (JL/JAL) launched six summer seasonal routes. From Nagoya/Chubu Centrair (NGO/RJGG), they have launched three-times weekly Kushiro (KUH/RJCK) and four-times weekly Obihiro (OBO/RJCB) service, while from Osaka/Itami (ITM/RJOO), daily service to Matsumoto (MMJ/RJAF) and Memanbetsu (MMB/RJCM) have been added. Sapporo/New Chitose (CTS/RJCC) sees new four-times weekly service to Izumo (IZO/RJOC) and three-times weekly to Tokushima (TKS/RJOS).

Boeing 737-846(WL) JA314J arrives at Aomori. JAL Express has started to repaint their aircraft with 'Japan Airlines' titles in anticipation of their merger into JAL on October 1st. Catch them while you can. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

The seasonal flights from Chubu Centrair and New Chitose are operated with JAL Express' (JC/JEX) (JAL Express to be absorbed by JAL on October 1st.) 165-seat (20 Class J and 145 economy) Boeing 737-800s, while the Itami flights are flown with J-Air's (XM/JLJ) 76-seat (all economy) Embraer ERJ170-100STDs (E170s). All six will operate until August 31st.

Flight Schedule (Aug/1 - Aug/31/2014 only):
Nagoya/Chubu Centrair – Kushiro NEW 3 weekly with 737-800.
JL3131 NGO 1130 – 1320 KUH 73H Tu/Th/Sa *Operated by JAL Express as JC3131.
JL3132 KUH 1450 – 1650 NGO 73H Tu/Th/Sa *Operated by JAL Express as JC3132.

Nagoya/Chubu Centrair – Obihiro NEW 4 weekly with 737-800.
JL3303 NGO 1100 – 1300 OBO 73H Mo/We/Fr/Su *Operated by JAL Express as JC3303.
JL3304 OBO 1520 – 1715 NGO 73H Mo/We/Fr/Su *Operated by JAL Express as JC3304.

Osaka/Itami – Matsumoto NEW 1 daily with E170.
JL2271 ITM 1330 – 1420 MMJ E70 Daily *Operated by J-Air as XM2271.
JL2272 MMJ 1500 – 1555 ITM E70 Daily *Operated by J-Air as XM2272.

Osaka/Itami – Memanbetsu NEW 1 daily with E170.
JL2101 ITM 0815 – 1020 MMB E70 Daily *Operated by J-Air as XM2101.
JL2102 MMB 1050 – 1300 ITM E70 Daily *Operated by J-Air as XM2102.

Sapporo/New Chitose – Izumo NEW 4 weekly with 737-800.
JL3426 CTS 1200 – 1405 IZO 73H Mo/We/Fr/Su *Operated by JAL Express as JC3426.
JL3421 IZO 1455 – 1650 CTS 73H Mo/We/Fr/Su *Operated by JAL Express as JC3421.

Sapporo/New Chitose – Tokushima NEW 3 weekly with 737-800.
JL3436 CTS 1200 – 1355 TKS 73H Tu/Th/Sa *Operated by JAL Express as JC3436.
JL3437 TKS 1455 – 1655 CTS 73H Tu/Th/Sa *Operated by JAL Express as JC3437. 

All of these routes are actually resumptions. Chubu Centrair – Kushiro was suspended in May 2010, Chubu Centrair – Obihiro in October 2010, Itami – Matsumoto in June 2010, Itami – Memanbetsu in April 2005 (moved to Kansai but suspended in March 2009), and both New Chitose – Izumo and New Chitose – Tokushima in March 2011; all during JAL Group's restructuring. Originally announced in January (JAL to resume six domestic routes for Summer 2014.), these routes are probably candidates for a full resumption, as part of JAL's intention to "restart rural routes that are potentially profitable in due course."

CoachFlyer JC1227: HND - MSJ on JAL Express' Boeing 737.

Travel date: January 2014

Flight: JC1227 (marketed as JL1227)

Route: Tokyo/Haneda (HND/RJTT) - Misawa (MSJ/RJSM)

Carrier: JAL Express (JC/JEX) operating for Japan Airlines (JL/JAL)

Aircraft: Boeing 737-846(WL) JA319J

Class: Economy

Direct distance: 588 km (366 miles)

Flight time: 55 minutes

Sistership Boeing 737-846(WL) JA318J taxies at Haneda. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

Check-in was smooth at Japan Airlines' (JL/JAL) electronic counters at Tokyo's Haneda Airport (HND/RJTT) Terminal 1, but passengers with check-in luggage had to go up to the line. Members of JAL's Mileage Bank (JMB) frequent-flyer program who don't have check-in baggage can simply go straight to the security lanes and swipe the JMB card over a machine that gives you a receipt and automatically checks in for you. You only need to swipe that card again when you board the aircraft. Terminal 1 is used by the JAL Group, Skymark Airlines (BC/SKY), and Star Flyer's (7G/SFJ) flights to Fukuoka (FUK/RJFF) and Kitakyushu (KKJ/RJFR).

Heading north, somewhere above Tochigi. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

We strolled our way to the bus gates at the northern end of Terminal 1, only to hear an announcement telling us that boarding wouldn't start until 1230, due to the late arrival of the inbound aircraft. Groups with handicapped persons, pregnant mothers, and children under two were called in, followed by JMB Diamond flyers, JAL Global Club (JGC) premier members, and Oneworld Emerald flyers. A bus took us to Spot 34, where Boeing 737-846(WL) JA319J was waiting for us. The aircraft was delivered new to JAL on April 15, 2009. At 1247, the doors were closed and push-back started at 1250, 10 minutes behind schedule. Most of JAL's domestic B737-800 flights are now operated by lower-cost subsidiary JAL Express (JC/JEX), or simply 'JEX'.

The domestic edition of JAL's Skyward magazine only has Japanese. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

After the ground personnel waved good-bye to us, a tradition with Japanese airlines, we taxied to Runway 34R and took off at 1302, local time. Banking sharply to the right with Tokyo's skyscrapers to the left almost right below us, and then banking left above Tokyo Disney Resort, we headed north towards Tochigi prefecture. At 1310, we reached 10,000 feet (3,050 meters) and Captain Mr. Kikuchi turned off the seat-belt signs. Many domestic flights which aren't carrying non-Japanese speakers often omit English announcements, but that wasn't the case as the Misawa route caters to the many Americans who work at the U.S. Air Force (USAF) base adjacent to Misawa Airport.

Flying over Miyagi prefecture. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

Flight attendants started preparing in-flight service, which consists of just a complementary beverage selection. Like its parent, JEX offers hot coffee (branded as JAL Cafe Lines), apple juice, consommé soup, 'shiikwaasaa' (Citrus depressa) juice, hot and cold green tea, water, and coke. Whether busy or not, the relatively young JEX staff always serve with a genuine smile, which is sometimes absent on mainline JAL. As the cabin crew were working their way up and down the aisle, around 1324, First Officer Mr. Fukuzawa made a welcome announcement with the passengers, informing that we are cruising at 29,000 feet (8,800 meters) and that we would be expecting light snow on arrival. At 1334, descent was already started, and the flight attendants walked around to help those who wanted to purchase from the JAL Shop on-board catalogue.

JAL's domestic Boeing 737-800s seat 20 'Class J' and 145 economy. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

Just about five minutes later, we started to encounter rough air, prompting the crew to turn on the seat-belt lights. After passing through the clouds, a snowy landscape greeted us from below. The aircraft flew south of Hachinohe city, out to the Pacific Ocean, and then banked to the left after passing the second largest city in Aomori prefecture for a final approach to Misawa. Gears were lowered at 1352, and we touched down on Runway 28 at 1357, concluding a 55-minute journey. Taxiing in front of the USAF Air Base, which is responsible for air traffic control at the airport, we arrived at the terminal and came to a stop at 1402 at Gate 1, only two minutes behind schedule. Misawa only has one jet-bridge. In two minutes, we were off the aircraft and our luggage was out on the baggage claim by 1410.

Descending over the mountains in northern Iwate. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

Originally opened in 1941 as an Imperial Japanese Navy base, the airport now owned by the Japan Ministry of Defense has been operated by the USAF since 1945. It started accepting civilian flights in 1952, but were banned in 1965 for 'security concerns'. Commercial flights switched to nearby Japan Self Defense Force (JSDF)-controlled Hachinohe Airfield (HHE/RJSH). In 1975, these flights switched back to Misawa, and the current terminal was opened two years later. With a single 3,050-meter (10,000 feet) runway, Misawa serves as a military base for the 35th Fighter Wing of the USAF along with the JSDF, and for commercial flights as the gateway to eastern Aomori, including the cities of Hachinohe, Towada, and Misawa, as well as the Shimokita Peninsula. Other than the link to Haneda, the airport has non-stops to Osaka/Itami (ITM/RJOO), operated by JAL-subsidiary J-Air (XM/JLJ), and Sapporo/Okadama (OKD/RJCO) with Hokkaido Air System (HC/NTH).

Our Boeing 737-846(WL) JA319J after arrival at Misawa. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

JAL Express will be merged into parent Japan Airlines effective October 1st (JAL Express to be absorbed by JAL on October 1st.). It was originally set up on April 1st, 1997 and inaugurated service on July 1st, 1998 as a lower-cost subsidiary taking over some of its parent's regional domestic routes with Boeing 737-400s transferred from JAL. JEX formed the basis for the now lower-cost JAL. The carrier's flight attendants were originally called 'SkyCasts', where they were also responsible for cabin cleaning (mainline JAL hired outside firms just to clean the aircraft) and implemented quick turnaround times, increasing fleet utilization. Until the current uniforms were introduced in June 2013, 'SkyCasts' wore a red-based coat-style uniform, different from mainline JAL. It originally targeted a 20% reduction in overall costs compared to its parent.

Misawa Airport is the gateway to eastern Aomori. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

Now that JAL has shed a lot of costs, especially during its bankruptcy, JAL employees essentially carry out the same tasks and amount of work that JAL Express staff do, so presumably, it became unnecessary to keep JEX. Since the JAL Group offers a standardized product, customers will notice little difference if any when the merger is completed, but whenever you see a cheerful young female cabin crew, remember JEX.

JAL Express to be absorbed by JAL on October 1st.

On March 26th, Japan Airlines (JL/JAL) announced that 100%-owned subsidiary JAL Express (JC/JEX) would be merged into JAL effective October 1st. JAL Express currently operates 39 Boeing 737-800s on domestic routes on behalf of its parent.

Boeing 737-846(WL) JA302J has been wearing 'Ganbaro Nippon' decals since the 3.11 earthquake and tsunami disaster. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

JAL Express was originally set up on April 1st, 1997 and inaugurated service on July 1st, 1998 as a lower-cost subsidiary taking over some of its parent's regional domestic routes with Boeing 737-400s transferred from JAL. It later went on to operate some McDonnell Douglas MD-81s JAL inherited from the merger with Japan Air System (JD/JAS) between 2005 and 2010, but with the transferring of its remaining B737-400s to sister Japan Transocean Air (NU/JTA) in 2011, the fleet was standardized on B737-800s. It currently forms the backbone of JAL's regional domestic network from Tokyo/Haneda (HND/RJTT).

JAL Express formed the basis for the now lower-cost JAL. The carrier's flight attendants were originally called 'SkyCasts', where they were also responsible for cabin cleaning (mainline JAL hired outside firms just to clean the aircraft) and implemented quick turnaround times, increasing fleet utilization. Until the current uniforms were introduced in June 2013, 'SkyCasts' wore a red-based coat-style uniform, different from mainline JAL. It originally targeted a 20% reduction in overall costs compared to its parent.

Now that JAL has shed a lot of costs, especially during its bankruptcy, JAL employees essentially carry out the same tasks and amount of work that JAL Express staff do, so presumably, it became unnecessary to keep JAL Express. Furthermore, the majority of JAL Express' flight attendants are said to be on few-year contracts, so merging that employee base into JAL prevents them from joining other carriers, like the growing LCCs. This is similar to what ANA did when they upgraded all contracted employees to full-time staff last year to prevent a 'brain drain'.

Source: Japan Airlines, March 26th. (in Japanese)